Toolless mounting of electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket for mounting an electronic device to the T-bar of a drop ceiling provides for self-locking snap-action securing of the mounting bracket to a flange of the T-bar, suspending the mounting bracket from the T-bar. The mounting bracket also provides for self-locking snap-action attachment of the mounted device to the bracket, suspending the device from the suspended mounting bracket. A split adapter allows vertical offsetting of the device from the ceiling, reducing vertical displacement of ceiling tiles resting on the T-bar. The split adapter has two halves the are laterally slid on to the T-bar flange and are then longitudinally slid together to be joined against lateral separation. The composite adapter thus formed presents an adapter flange to which the mounting bracket snap-secures, the mounting bracket locking the adapter halves against longitudinal separation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 16/517,380, filed Jul. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/701,610, filed Jul. 21, 2018,the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Drop ceilings are commonly used in commercial buildings. Such dropceilings typically comprise a suspended grid of so-called T-bars thatsupports ceiling tiles in square or rectangular openings defined by thegrid. The T-bars are often suspended from an obscured ceiling by wires.The drop ceiling T-bars are so called due their having a cross-sectionaloutline that is generally inverted T-shaped, comprising a verticallyextending web and a horizontally extending flange at the bottom end ofthe web. The ceiling tiles rest on the top surfaces of the T-barflanges.

It is often desirable to mount electronic devices (such as wirelessaccess points, LED, or the like) on drop ceilings. Mounting is oftenachieved by connection directly to the T-bars, which usually results inthe ceiling tiles being raised. This is particularly a problem where theceiling tiles have recessed edges allowing the ceiling tile to extendout below the T-bar flange for a decorative look.

Mounting devices on such ceilings often require considerable operatorskill and can be laborious, considering that the work is usuallyperformed overhead.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a mounting bracket 100 inaccordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an installation comprising a drop ceiling202 to which an electronic device is to be mounted by user of a mountingbracket in accordance with one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a first operation in connection ofa mounting bracket to a T-bar, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3 , with the mounting brackethaving been secured to the T-bar.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic device to be mounted to a T-bar by amounting bracket in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a pair of adapter halves that areconnectable together to form a composite adapter for a bracket assembly,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 , showing the adapter halvesbrought into lateral contact, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional view of a bracket assembly connected to aT-bar according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of an installation comprising adevice mounted to a drop ceiling T-bar by a bracket assembly, accordingto one example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional view of a universal adapter forming partof a bracket assembly, according to one example embodiment, the adapterbeing engaged with a T-bar flange.

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 of the universal adapterengaged with a drop ceiling rail, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional view of a pair of universal adapterhalves configured to accommodate flanges of two different standardwidths, according to one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides for brackets and bracket assemblies which canbe snapped on to elongate structural supports such as drop ceilingT-bars for mounting electronic devices thereto. Some embodiments providea bracket plate which can be snapped directly on to a T-bar. Otherembodiments provide for a bracket adapter having two parts, in someinstance being identical adapter halves, which can be slid and/orsnapped together around the bottom of a T-bar. A slot formed by the twohalves surrounds the bottom or flange of the T-bar and allows thebracket adapter to hang form the T-bar. Once slid together the sides ofthe bracket adapter lock together without the need for screws or otherfashioners. The bracket adapter can slide along the bottom of the TBarwhile suspended from the T-bar, allowing for easy positioning of thedevice to be mounted.

Some embodiments provide a bracket plate or mounting bracket can besecured directly to a T-bar or one to the bracket adapter. In some suchembodiments, heads of screws protruding from a device (e.g., an accesspoint or other device to be hung form the ceiling) can be insertedthrough screw holes in the bracket plate and then the access points andscrews can be slid in screw slots to a position where a non-returnspring secures the screw heads so that they cannot slide back towardsthe screw holes, thus retaining the screws in the screw slots. The screwheads support the weight of the access point or other device to whichthe screws are attached.

The mounting plate in some embodiments includes raised hanger tabs andsprung shoulders. The flange of the T-bar is placed under the raisedhanger tabs while the sprung shoulders are depressed. After alignment ofthe T-bar in recesses formed by the hanger tabs, the sprung shoulderssnap back up and keep the T-bar flange in position under the raisedhanger tabs.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a mounting bracket comprising:

-   -   a bracket body;    -   a toolless fastening mechanism incorporated in the bracket body,        the fastening mechanism being configured to enable releasable        toolless securing of the bracket body to an elongate flange of a        structural support such that the bracket body is suspended from        the flange; and    -   a toolless attachment mechanism incorporated in the bracket body        and configured to enable releasable toolless securing of a        mounted device to the bracket body, so that the mounted device        is suspended from the flange via the bracket body.

“Toolless” securing of two components to one another means that thecomponents are securable together without the use of any fastener ortool external to or not integrated with the components before theirengagement with one another. As such, an auto-locking mechanism in whichone or more elements secure components together by sprung snap action,as described in some embodiments with reference to the drawings, providefor toolless securing together of the relevant component. “Securing”together of two or more components means that the relevant componentscannot be separated by simple movement of the components relative to oneanother. Thus, for example, when relative movement of two components areprevented by depressible lock shoulder, the components are securedtogether in that depression of the lock shoulder is required to separatethe components by relative movement. A “mounted device” refers to adevice mountable by means of the mounting bracket, regardless of whetheror not the device is currently secured to the bracket. Thus, a wirelessaccess point mountable by the mounting bracket, for example, is referredto as the mounted device both before and after its actual mounting.

In some embodiments, the bracket body comprises a bracket plate, theattachment mechanism for attachment of the mounted device to the bracketplate comprising:

-   -   a plurality of openings extending through the bracket plate for        receiving respective connectors projecting from the mounted        device, each connector comprising a shank and an enlarged head        at an end of the shank furthest from the mounted device, each        opening comprising:        -   an insertion hole shaped and sized to permit passage of the            corresponding mounting formation head transversely            therethrough; and        -   a slot that extends from the insertion hole to allow travel            along the slot of the shank of one of the connectors            received therein, the slot preventing passage of the            mounting formation head transversely therethrough; and    -   a latch mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality        of openings to automatically trap the shank of the corresponding        connector responsive to travel of the shank from the insertion        hole along the slot beyond a locking position, the latch        mechanism thereafter preventing travel of the trapped shank        along the slot towards the insertion hole.

In this context, “bracket plate” means a member of rigid sheet material(e.g., being of plate metal), but is not limited to components that areperfectly flat, lying wholly in a single plane. Thus, the bracket platemay in some embodiments be contoured to have bumps, plateaus,depressions, or the like. “Transverse” refers to a direction that istransverse to the relevant longitudinal direction, as defined above, andthat is substantially parallel to a plane in which a flange to which adevice is to be mounted lies. Thus, in instance in which mounting is toa substantially horizontally extending T-bar, transverse means asubstantially horizontal direction transverse to the length of theT-bar.

In one embodiment, no more than a single one of the plurality ofopenings has a latch mechanism associated therewith. The latch mechanismmay comprise a non-return spring member that is mounted on the bracketplate to coincide with the slot of the associated opening and that isconfigured to:

-   -   deform resiliently responsive to travel of the connector shank        along the slot away from the insertion hole, allowing movement        of the shank past the locking position; and    -   after movement of the shank past the locking position, return        resiliently to obstruct movement of the shank past the        non-return spring member towards the insertion hole.

The fastening mechanism for securing the bracket body to the flange maycomprise:

-   -   a hanger tab that defines a flange recess configured for        reception of a first longitudinal edge of the flange by        insertion thereof into the flange recess in a direction that is        transverse to a lengthwise direction of the flange and that is        substantially parallel to a plane in which the flange lies,        thereby to suspend the bracket body from the flange;    -   a lock shoulder mounted on the bracket body such that, when the        first longitudinal edge of the flange is received in the flange        recess of the hanger tab, the lock shoulder stands proud of the        bracket body adjacent an opposite, second longitudinal edge of        the flange to prevent retraction of the flange from the hanger        tab by contact of the second longitudinal edge of the flange        against the lock shoulder, the lock shoulder being resiliently        depressible to allow sliding of the flange over the lock        shoulder during reception of the first longitudinal edge in the        flange recess of the hanger tab; and    -   a biasing mechanism that resiliently biases the lock shoulder        against depression thereof and towards a raised condition,        thereby enabling automatic return of the lock shoulder to the        raised condition when the second longitudinal edge of the flange        clears the lock shoulder.

As used herein, “substantially ” means for the most part; essentially;in substance. Thus, for example, description as two elements as beingsubstantially parallel or co-planar include not only instances in whichthe elements are perfectly parallel or co-planar, but also includesinstances in which the elements are almost, virtually, or practicallyparallel or co-planar. In this context, “lengthwise direction ” refersto a substantially transverse direction, as defined below, relative tothe longitudinal direction of a support to which a device is to bemounted. “Longitudinal ” refers to a direction substantially parallelwith the lengthwise direction of an elongate element to which acomponent is to be connected. Thus, in the context of attachment to aT-bar or rail, longitudinal means substantially parallel to thelengthwise direction of the rail or T-bar, while in the context ofattachment to a composite adapter as disclosed herein, longitudinalmeans substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of an adapterflange provided by the composite adapter.

In some embodiments, the lock shoulder comprises a universal lockshoulder having two transversely spaced shoulder segments that areindependently depressible and that are biased to their respective raisedconditions, thereby enabling the universal lock shoulder to providesubstantially play-free lateral abutment for flanges of two differentwidths. As used herein, “universal” means not that the relevant part canaccommodate any other part, but that it can accommodate a plurality ofdifferently sized and/or shaped parts. Thus, for example, describing amounting formation on a bracket adapter as being universal means thatthe it can be mounted on two or more differently shaped and/or sizedelongated supports, for example being capable of mounting on a T-bar ora rectangular rail, being mountable on T-bars with two different widthflanges, and the like.

The hanger tab in some embodiment forms part of a pair of hanger tabsspaced and oriented to receive the opposite longitudinal edges of theflange at longitudinally spaced positions, so that the bracket body isattachable to the flange by, while the bracket body is positioned suchthat the flange recesses of the pair of hanger tabs are substantiallyco-planar with the flange, rotational movement of the bracket body aboutan axis substantially normal to the plane of the flange. In some suchembodiments, the lock shoulder forms part of a pair of lock shoulderspositioned for location on opposite sides of the flange, the lockshoulders being spaced apart such that each lock shoulder is inlongitudinal register with and transversely opposed to a correspondingone of pair of lock shoulders.

The fastening mechanism may comprise:

-   -   a first pair of lock shoulders and an associated first pair of        hanger tabs configured for together securing the bracket body        such that the flange is oriented in a first direction relative        to the bracket body; and    -   a second pair of lock shoulders and an associated second pair of        hanger tabs configured for together securing the bracket body        such that the flange is oriented in a second direction relative        to the bracket body, the first direction and the second        direction being transverse to one another.

Another aspect of the disclosure prides a kit for a bracket assembly tosuspend a mounted device from an elongate structural support, the kitcomprising:

-   -   a pair of adapter parts that are configured for toolless        connection to one another to form a composite adapter, each        adapter part having a respective mounting formation configured        for lateral reception therein of at least part of the elongate        structural support such as to so suspend the composite adapter        from the structural support when both mounting formations are        engaged with the structural support;    -   a mounting bracket that comprises:        -   a bracket body;        -   a fastening mechanism incorporated in the bracket body and            configured to suspend the bracket body from the composite            adapter; and        -   an attachment mechanism incorporated in the bracket body and            configured to suspend the mounted device from the bracket            body.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may be as a mounting bracketaccording to the first aspect of the disclosure. The pair of adapterparts may together define a joining mechanism configured to enabletoolless joining together of the pair of adapter parts and to resistlateral separation of the adapter parts, thereby to form the compositeadapter. Instead, or in addition, the fastening mechanism may beconfigured to enable releasable toolless securing of the bracket body tothe composite adapter. Instead, or in addition, the attachment mechanismmay be configured to enable releasable toolless securing of the mounteddevice to the bracket body.

The mounting formations of the composite adapter in some embodimentsprovide a universal mounting mechanism configured to be mountable toboth of two differently sized and/or shaped elongate structuralsupports. In some such embodiments, the mounting mechanism is configuredto accommodate a first T-bar type having a flange of a first standardwidth, and to accommodate a second T-bar type having a flange of asecond standard width different from that of the first T-bar type.Instead, the universal mounting mechanism may be configured toaccommodate a flange of an inverted T-bar, and is configured toaccommodate a rail having a rectangular cross-section profile.

In some embodiments, the bracket assembly kit may be configured suchthat the mounting formations of the composite adapter is configured forengagement with a T-bar flange of a substantially horizontally orientedT-bar, the composite adapter defining an adapter flange substantiallyparallel to and vertically spaced from the T-bar flange. In suchembodiments, the fastening mechanism of the mounting bracket may beconfigured for engagement with the adapter flange to suspend the bracketbody from the composite adapter.

Another aspect of the invention provides a bracket assembly formed by akit as described above. Yet a further aspect of the invention provides amethod of mounting a device on a structural support by use of thedisclosed mounting bracket and/or bracket assembly.

Turning now to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, thedescription that follows includes devices, systems, methods, techniques,instruction sequences, and computing machine program products thatembody illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide an understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. It will be evident,however, to those skilled in the art, that embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter may be practiced without these specific details. Ingeneral, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, andtechniques are not necessarily shown in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a mounting bracket 100 for mounting an electronic device toan elongated structural support, according to one example embodiment. Aswill be described in further detail below, the mounting bracket 100 isin this example embodiment configured for mounting a wireless accesspoint (AP) device (e.g., AP device 500, FIG. 5 ) to a structural supportin the form of a T-bar 206 (FIG. 2 ) that forms part of a drop ceiling202 (FIG. 2 ), so that the AP device 500 is suspended from ahorizontally extending T-bar flange 208 forming part of the T-bar 206.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the mounting bracket 100 has a rigid bodyprovided by a bracket plate 102 of stamped mild steel, having agenerally rectangular outline. The bracket plate 102 has incorporatedtherein (a) a fastening mechanism for securing the bracket plate 102 tothe T-bar flange 208, and (b) an attachment mechanism for securing theAP device 500 to the bracket plate 102. As will be described in moredetail below, the fastening mechanism for suspension of the bracketplate 102 from the T-bar 206 in this example embodiment comprises atoolless auto-locking mechanism comprising a pair of hanger tabs 104 anda complementary pair of universal lock shoulders 106. The attachmentmechanism for suspending the AP device 500 from the bracket plate 102 isin this embodiment a toolless auto-locking mechanism comprising a set ofscrew openings 108 and a latch mechanism 110 associated with aparticular screw opening 108, further referred to as the latch opening126.

Turning first to the fastening mechanism for securing the bracket plate102 to the T-bar flange 208, it will be seen that the pair of hangertabs 104 and the pair of universal lock shoulders 106 are provided on aflat central portion 112 of the bracket plate 102 such as to stand proudof an operatively upper face of the bracket plate 102. The upper face ofthe central portion 112 is in use brought into contact with theunderside of the T-bar flange 208 during connection of the bracket plate102 to the T-bar 206. The bracket plate 102 is thus orientedsubstantially horizontally when installed on a horizontal T-bar 206. Forease of description, the terms horizontal and vertical are in thisdescription used non-restrictively to describe spatial relationshipsbetween different components, but it will be appreciated that, in someembodiments, the bracket plate 102 can be oriented differently.

Each hanger tab 104 comprises a punched raised portion that stands proudof the flat central portion 112, extending horizontally and beingvertically spaced from the central portion 112 of the bracket plate 102to define a flange recess 114 for receiving therein part of the T-barflange 208, so that the bracket plate 102 hangs from the T-bar flange208 by the hanger tab 104. Each hanger tab 104 is oriented such that itopens laterally, facing towards a longitudinal centerline of the bracketplate 102 in a direction that is lateral or transverse relative to alongitudinal direction 116 along which the T-bar flange extends whenreceived in the pair of hanger tabs 104. Each hanger tab 104 resistsmovement of the T-bar flange 208 into its flange recess 114 beyond apoint at which the longitudinal edge of the T-bar flange 208 abutslaterally against the respective formation that provides the hanger tab104.

The hanger tabs 104 are longitudinally spaced, to engage the T-barflange 208 at different respective longitudinal positions, but face inopposite lateral directions and are transversely spaced to receiveopposite longitudinal edges of the T-bar flange 208. In other words, oneof the hanger tabs 104 in use receives a longitudinal edge of the T-barflange 208, while the other hanger tab 104 receives the other, oppositelongitudinal edge of the T-bar flange 208.

Each hanger tab 104 is paired with a respective universal lock shoulder106, so that each universal lock shoulder 106 is in longitudinalregister with the corresponding hanger tab 104, being transverselyspaced therefrom to be located on an opposite side of the T-bar flange208 when it is received in the hanger tab 104. The universal lockshoulders 106 are referred to as being universal in that they areconfigured for accommodating T-bar flanges 208 of two distinct widths.To this end, each universal lock shoulder 106 comprises twoindependently depressible and independently sprung shoulders (in thisexample embodiment indicated as a laterally inner shoulder 118 and alaterally outer shoulder 120) which are transversely space to be locatedside-by-side. For ease of description, the sprung auto-lockingfunctionality provided by the universal lock shoulder 106 for releasabletoolless securing to the T-bar 206 will first be described withreference to the functioning of the inner shoulder 118 considered inisolation.

Each inner shoulder 118 is in this example embodiment a protrusionstamped from the mild steel of the bracket plate 102, being integralwith and standing proud of the upper surface of the central portion 112of the bracket plate 102 when in an unstressed, raised condition (as isthe case in FIG. 1 ). The inner shoulder 118 is, however, resilientlydepressible, having a biasing mechanism that resiliently biases it tothe raised condition. In this example embodiment, the biasing mechanismof the inner shoulder 118 (and likewise of the outer shoulder 120) isprovided by elastic deformation and return of the spring steel material(in this case stainless steel SUS301) of which it is formed. The innershoulder 118 is positioned such that its laterally inner edge extendslongitudinally and is transversely spaced from the associated hanger tab104 by a distance corresponding to a particular standard flange width.The laterally inner edge of the inner shoulder 118 is indicated in FIG.1 by longitudinally extended dotted line 122.

As will be described greater depth below with reference to FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , depressibility of the universal lock shoulder 106 permitsengagement of the hanger tabs 104 with the T-bar flange 208. Inparticular, the universal lock shoulders 106 are resiliently depressedwhen pushed against the underside of T-bar flange 208, after which thebracket plate 102 is rotated to slide the opposite longitudinal edges ofthe T-bar flange 208 into the respective flange recesses 114 of hangertabs 104. When the associated longitudinal edge of the T-bar flange 208clears inner shoulder 118 (that is, when the flange edge is aligned withthe longitudinal direction 116 of the bracket plate 102 and is locatedlaterally inside dotted line 122), the inner shoulder 118 snaps orsprings resiliently back to the raised condition. The raised innershoulder 118 is then in close lateral abutment with the longitudinaledge of the T-bar flange 208, preventing lateral extraction of the T-barflange 208 from the associated hanger tab 104. The fastening mechanismprovided by the hanger tabs 104 and the universal lock shoulders 106thus provide a releasable toolless mechanism for securing mountingbracket 100 to the T-bar 206. Differently defined, the fasteningmechanism is auto-locking or is a sprung mechanism configured forsnap-locking the bracket plate 102 to the T-bar 206.

The outer shoulder 120 functions identically to that described abovewith respect to the inner shoulder 118, except that it is configured tolaterally secure a T-bar flange 208 of greater width than that which isto be secured by the inner shoulder 118. In particular, the outershoulder 120 is configured for cooperation with a T-bar flange 208having a width corresponding more or less to the lateral distancerepresented in FIG. 1 between the laterally outer extremity of thefrontmost hanger tab 104 and dotted line 124. It will be appreciatedthat when such a wider T-bar flange 208 is engaged with the fasteningmechanism (i.e., so that the associated longitudinal edge of the flangeis closely spaced laterally inwards of dotted line 124), the innershoulder 118 remains in its depressed condition and continues to bearagainst the underside of the T-bar flange 208, even though the outershoulder 120 has snapped back to the raised condition to lock thebracket plate 102 in position on the T-bar flange 208. In otherembodiments, the fastening mechanism and may be configured foraccommodating a single flange width. Referring briefly to FIG. 8 , itwill be seen that the mounting bracket 100 in that example embodimenthas a single unitary lock shoulder 804 associated with each hanger tab104.

Turning now to the attachment mechanism for securing the AP device 500to the mounting bracket 100, the attachment mechanism, as mentioned, inthis example embodiment comprises four screw openings 108 and a latchmechanism 110 located at that one of the screw openings 108 whichprovides the latch opening 126. The screw openings 108 are located inrespective depressions or landings located at the corners of thegenerally rectangular bracket plate 102. The depressions are verticallyoffset from the flat central portion 112 of the bracket plate 102 toallow vertical clearance for screwheads 504, as will be described below.

Each screw opening 108 is broadly keyhole-shaped, having an elongatedscrew slot 132 extending rectilinearly from an enlarged insertion hole134. The screw openings 108 are shaped, sized, and spatially arrangedfor receiving corresponding connectors forming part of or attached tothe device to be mounted by means of the mounting bracket 100. In thisexample embodiment, the connectors of the mounted device are provided byfour screws 502 (see FIG. 5 ) screwed into complementary holes providedon the AP device 500. Each screw 502 has, in conventional fashion, ascrewhead 504 and a threaded screw shank 506. The screws 502 areshoulder screws, being configured to, upon being tightened to the APdevice 500, come to a stop in a position that leaves a gap from thebottom of the screwhead 504 to the AP device 500, so that part of thescrew shank 506 is exposed to allow reception thereof the acorresponding screw slot 132. Note that, in other embodiments, theconnectors can be provided by formations integrally formed with themounted device.

The screw openings 108 are thus shaped, sized, and positioned to receivethe respective screws 502 by an operator lifting the AP device 500vertically to pass each screwhead 504 through the correspondinginsertion hole 134, and thereafter sliding the bracket plate 102horizontally in the direction of the screw slots 132. Each screw shank506 thus slides along the corresponding screw slot 132, so that the APdevice 500 is suspended from the mounting plate 102 by the screwheads504, being prevented from vertical separation by virtue of the fact thatthe diameter of the screwhead 504 is larger than the width of the screwslot 132.

The latch mechanism 110 associated with the latch opening 126 isconfigured to trap or capture the corresponding screw 502 in thecorresponding screw slot 132, preventing return of the associated screw502 to the insertion hole 134 to allow vertical removal of the screw 502from the latch opening 126. It will be appreciated that although only asingle one of the screw openings 108 has associated therewith a latchmechanism 110, the shape and spatial arrangement of the screw openings108 prevents disengagement of any one of the screws 502 from itsassociated screw opening 108 while the latch mechanism 110 retains itsassociated screw 502 in its locked position.

The latch mechanism 110 in this example embodiment comprises anon-return spring 128 provided by a shaped metal strip that is bent toform a kink coinciding with the screw slot 132 of the latch opening 126.As can best be seen in FIG. 1 , the non-return spring 128 is shaped suchthat it is relatively gently inclined relative to the screw slot 132 ina connecting direction extending from the insertion hole 134 to thedistal end of the screw slot 132. Thus, when the screwhead 504 isreceived through the insertion hole 134 and the bracket plate 102 isslid horizontally such that the screw shank 506 travels along the screwslot 132 from the insertion hole 134, the non-return spring 128 ispushed sideways by the screwhead 504 to allow passage of the screwhead504 past the kink. The non-return spring 128 thus deforms elastically,snapping resiliently back to its unstressed position (as shown in FIG. 1) once the screwhead 504 has passed the locking position defined by thekink of the non-return spring 128. The kink of the non-return spring 128is shaped, however, to block passage of the screwhead 504 back to theinsertion hole 134, so that the non-return spring 128 obstructs movementof the screw shank 506 along the screw slot 132 in the directionopposite to the connecting direction mentioned before.

In this manner, the screw openings 108 and latch mechanism 110 isconfigured for toolless securing of the AP device 500 to the mountingbracket 100. Worded differently, the fastening mechanism is auto-lockingor is a sprung mechanism configured for snap-locking the AP device 500to the mounting bracket 100.

The mounting bracket 100 further includes a bracing spring 130associated with one of the screw openings 108. The bracing spring 130functions similarly to the non-return spring 128, except that it doesnot obstruct passage of the corresponding screwhead 504 past it ineither direction. Instead, the bracing spring 130 bears resilientlyagainst the screwhead 504 in a direction transverse to the screw slot132 to reduce play and thus tighten the connection provided by thefastening mechanism.

Use of the mounting bracket 100 in operation will now briefly bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 . FIG. 2 shows across-sectional view of a drop ceiling 202 to which the mounting bracket100 is about to be secured. The drop ceiling 202 comprises a grid ofinverted T-bars 206, one of which is shown in cross-section in FIG. 2 .The T-bar 206 has a horizontal extending T-bar flange 208, the uppersurface of which supports a peripheral edge of each adjacent ceilingtile 204.

To suspend the mounting bracket 100 from the drop ceiling 202, the T-barflange 208 is to be engaged with the hanger tabs 104 such that eachlongitudinal edge of the T-bar flange 208 is received in respective oneof the flange recesses 114 defined by the respective hanger tabs 104. Tothis end, the mounting bracket 100 is first lifted by the operator sothat the bracket plate 102 is substantially horizontal and locatedbeneath the T-bar 206. Because the hanger tabs 104 are oriented indifferent directions, however, they cannot simply be slid linearly intoengagement with the T-bar flange 208. Instead, connection of themounting bracket 100 to the T-bar flange 208 is by rotational movementof the bracket plate 102 about a substantially vertical axis. Theoperator then rotates or turns the bracket plate 102 in the direction ofarrow 302 (FIG. 3 ) about a central vertical axis so that each of theedges of the T-bar flange 208 slides laterally into the correspondingflange recess 114 until the universal lock shoulders 106 at leastpartially snap back to the raised condition (FIG. 4 ), locking thebracket plate 102 to the T-bar flange 208. In this example embodiment,the flange width is such that only if the outer shoulder 120 of therespective universal lock shoulder 106 stand proud of the upper surfaceof the bracket plate 102 for securing the bracket plate 102 againstdisengagement from the hanger tabs 104 by which the bracket plate 102 issuspended from the T-bar flange 208.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , it will be seen that the bracket plate 102 isfirst turned by the operator such that the T-bar flange 208 is invertical alignment with both of the universal lock shoulders 106. Theoperator then (while the bracket plate 102 is in the rotated positionshown in FIG. 3 ) pushes the bracket plate 102 upwards into forcedcontact with the underside of the T-bar flange 208. Such forced contactpushes down the universal lock shoulders 106 until the underside of theT-bar flange 208 is in flush contact with the flat central portion 112of the bracket plate 102. In this position, the T-bar flange 208 issubstantially coplanar with the flange recesses 114 defined by thehanger tabs 104.

The operator then rotates or turns the bracket plate 102 in thedirection of arrow 302 (FIG. 3 ) about a central vertical axis so thateach of the edges of the T-bar flange 208 slides laterally into thecorresponding flange recess 114 until the universal lock shoulders 106at least partially snap back to the raised condition (FIG. 4 ), lockingthe bracket plate 102 to the T-bar flange 208. In this exampleembodiment, the flange width is such that only if the outer shoulder 120of the respective universal lock shoulder 106 stand proud of the uppersurface of the bracket plate 102 for securing the bracket plate 102against disengagement from the hanger tabs 104 by which the bracketplate 102 is suspended from the T-bar flange 208. Note that thefastening mechanism thus described is toolless, in that no tool orfastener external to the mounting bracket 100 is used either to suspendthe mounting bracket 100 from the T-bar 206 (which is effected by thehanger tabs 104) or to secure the connection of the bracket plate 102 tothe T-bar flange 208 (which is effected by the auto-lock snap action ofthe universal lock shoulder 106). Instead, the entire describedconnection and securing of the mounting bracket 100 to the T-bar flange208 is achieved by purely manual operations.

Thereafter, the AP device 500 is attached to the suspended mountingbracket 100 by the attachment mechanism provided by the screw openings108 and the latch mechanism 110. In this example embodiment, the screws502 are screwed into the corresponding holes on an operatively uppersurface of the AP device 500, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . As mentioned,the screws 502 can in some embodiments be pre-assembled with the APdevice 500, or analogous headed studs may be formed integrally with theAP device 500. Note that although the screws 502 can in some embodimentsrequire use of a tool such as a screwdriver or Allen key for connectionto the AP device 500, the attachment mechanism is nevertheless atoolless securing mechanism as understood in this description. This isbecause no tool or external fastener is necessary for attachment andlocking or securing of the AP device 500 to the mounting bracket 100subsequent to its first engagement with the mounting bracket 100,connection of the screws 502 to the AP device 500 being preparatory toengagement of the AP device 500 with the mounting bracket 100.

The device assembly provided by the AP device 500 and attached screws502 is thereafter attached to the suspended mounting bracket 100 by, asdescribed previously: orienting the AP device 500 horizontally; aligningthe four screws 502 with the corresponding insertion holes 134 of thescrew openings 108; lifting the AP device 500 such that the screwheads504 pass vertically through the respective insertion holes 134; andthereafter sliding the AP device 500 horizontally in the direction ofthe screw slots 132 until the screw 502 in the latch opening 126 passesthe kink in the non-return spring 128, at which point the non-returnspring 128 snaps back and prevents return of the corresponding screw 502to the insertion hole 134, thereby securing the suspended engagement ofthe AP device 500 with the mounting bracket 100. Referring briefly toFIG. 9 , therein is shown an assembly in which an AP device 500 isattached and secured to the mounting bracket 100 in this manner(although the mounting bracket 100 is in the example embodiment of FIG.9 suspended to the T-bar 206 via an adapter 802, as will be described).

Note again that the attachment mechanism for attaching and securing theAP device 500 to the mounting bracket 100, as described, is toolless, inthat no tool or fastener external to the mounting bracket 100 or themounted device assembly, as brought into engagement with the mountingbracket 100, is used either to suspend the AP device 500 from thebracket plate 102 (which is effected by the screws 502 pre-assembled tothe AP device 500), or to secure the attachment of the AP device 500 tothe bracket plate 102 (which is effected by the auto-lock snap action ofthe latch mechanism 110).

Note further that both the described toolless fastening mechanism (forfastening mounting bracket 100 to T-bar 206) and attachment mechanism(for attaching AP device 500 to mounting bracket 100) are releasable toallow selective disconnection. Thus, the AP device 500 can be removedfrom the mounting bracket 100 by manually pushing the non-return spring128 sidewise to clear the corresponding screw slot 132, and thereaftersliding the AP device 500 horizontally such that the screw 502 in thelatch opening 126 moves past the kink in the non-return spring 128,allowing withdrawal of the screwheads 504 from the screw openings 108.The mounting bracket 100 can likewise be disengaged from the T-bar 206by depressing the universal lock shoulders 106 and thereafter rotatingthe bracket plate 102 in the direction opposite arrow 302 (FIG. 3 ),causing the underside of the T-bar flange 208 to slide over the lockshoulders 108 and causing sliding lateral withdrawal of the edges of theT-bar flange 208 from the flange recesses 114 of the hanger tabs 104.

One benefit of the described techniques is that the described mechanismfor mounting a device such as the AP device 500 on a structural supportsuch as drop ceiling T-bar 206 can be performed with relatively littleeffort compared to existing techniques. Instead, the mounting bracket100 is snapped on to the T-bar 206, and the AP device 500 is snapped onto the mounting bracket 100. Despite such ease of installation, theconnections provided by the mounting bracket 100 is no less secure thanis the case in conventional methods. Moreover, the installation can beperformed without tools, and more quickly than other with other methods.

With reference to FIG. 6 through FIG. 9 , a bracket assembly 800 (FIG. 8) according to one example embodiment will now be described, the bracketassembly 800 including a mounting bracket 100 analogous to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 . Note that likereference numerals in the drawings indicate like or analogous parts, andthat the all elements indicated by the same reference numeral are notnecessarily identical. Referring briefly to FIG. 8 , it will be seenthat the bracket assembly 800 is configured to securely suspend a device(again represented by the example AP device 500) from a drop ceilingT-bar 206, except that the mounting bracket 100 is connected to a splitbracket or composite adapter 802 hung from the T-bar flange 208.

Turning now FIG. 6 , therein is shown two adapter parts that form partof the bracket assembly 800 and that are configured for connectiontogether to form the composite adapter 802, further referred to simplyas adapter 802. The adapter parts are in this example embodimentidentical and are thus referred to as adapter halves 602. Each adapterhalf 602 is a part of folded mild steel, having a central web 604 thatis operatively oriented vertically to extend longitudinally parallel tothe T-bar 206. At the top of the web 604 is defined a mounting formationfor engagement with a respective longitudinal edge of the T-bar flange208 for suspension from the T-bar 206. In this example embodiment, themounting formation comprises a laterally inwardly directed channelshaped and sized to receive by lateral insertion therein one side of astandard 15/16″T-bar 206.

Each adapter half 602 further defines at the bottom edge of the web 604a respective laterally projecting part of an adapter flange 608 that istogether provided by the halves 602, when connected together, forengagement by the mounting bracket 100 in a manner similar to thatdescribed with reference to connection of the mounting bracket 100directly to the T-bar flange 208 in the example embodiment of FIG. 1through FIG. 5 . Each adapter half 602 defines at a longitudinal end ofits adapter flange 608 a respective locking element in the form of araised lip 610. As will be described later, the lip 610 co-operates inthe final bracket assembly 800 with a corresponding one of the hangertabs 104 to lock the adapter halves 602 together against longitudinalseparation.

Each adapter half 602 further defines parts of a joining mechanism toenable toolless connection of the adapter halves 602 to resist lateralseparation of the halves 602. In this example embodiment, the joiningmechanism includes a cantilevered joint tab 612 formed from a punchedportion of the web 604 to be parallel to and laterally inwardly spacedfrom the web 604. A cutout 622 in the web 604 is positioned immediatelyin front of the joint tab 612 for receiving the joint tab 612 of theother adapter half 602. Remembering that the adapter halves 602 areidentical and that the joint tab 612 obscured in FIG. 6 faceslongitudinally in the direction opposite to the exposed joint tab 612,it will be seen that the joint tabs 612 are configured for hooking onthe web 604 adjacent the opposing joint tab 612 when the webs 604 are inlateral abutment and the halves 602 are slid together. When thusengaged, lateral separation of the adapter halves 602 is prevented byhooked engagement of the joint tabs 612 with the web 604. (See in thisregard, for example, FIG. 10 ).

The joining mechanism further comprises a stop hook 614 at an end ofeach web 604, the stop hook 614 being shaped and oriented to receive thecorresponding end of the other web 604 when the halves 602 are slidtogether. The stop hook 614 thus serves not only to stop relativelongitudinal movement of the adapter halves 602 when they are broughtfully into transverse register, but also resists lateral separation ofthe halves 602 at their respective longitudinal extremities.

Yet further, the joining mechanism provides co-operating formations toresist relative rotation of the adapter halves 602 about a transverseaxis, in this embodiment comprising (a) a protrusion 616 that projectslaterally inwardly from the web 604, and (b) a complementary slot orlongitudinally extending window 618 in the web 604, being sized andpositioned to allow partial extension therethrough of the protrusion 616of the other adapter half 602. Location of each protrusion 616 in thecorresponding window 618 prevents relative rotation of the adapterhalves 602 about their joint formed by the joint tabs 612.

In use, the adapter halves 602 are first positioned on opposite sides ofthe T-bar 206, being longitudinally misaligned and oriented such thatthe recesses of the channels 606 are substantially co-planar with theT-bar flange 208. Then the halves 602 are brought laterally together inthe respective directions indicated by arrows 620. When thus broughtinto lateral contact, the respective side edges (i.e., the longitudinaledges) of the T-bar flange 208 are received sidewise (i.e., laterally)into the respective channels 606. Further, the opposed laterally innersurfaces of the webs 604 are brought into flush contact. The adapterhalves 602 are longitudinally positioned such that, upon being broughttogether, each lateral protrusion 616 is received in the window 618 ofthe other adapter half 602 adjacent an end of the window 618 furthestfrom the stop hook 614 of the adapter half 602 that defines that window618. Yet further, each joint tab 612 is passed through the correspondingcutout 622, thus to be located laterally on the further side of the web604.

The adapter halves 602 are now in the position illustrated in FIG. 7(from which the T-bar 206 is omitted for simplicity of illustration).Then, the adapter halves 602 are joined by being slid longitudinallyrelative to one another, as indicated by arrows 702. Responsive to thislongitudinal sliding, the joint tabs 612 hook onto the web 604 of theother adapter half 602 at the longitudinal end of the correspondingcutout 622. Each lateral protrusion 616 slides longitudinally along thecooperating window 618 towards the end of the window 618 closest to theassociated stop hook 614. The horizontally extending edges of theprotrusion 616 closely abuts the horizontal edges of the complementarywindow 618 not only to guide the linear sliding movement but also, whenjoining is completed, to resist relative vertical movement of theadapter halves 602 at the protrusion 616 (as can best be seen in FIG. 10). Longitudinal sliding connection is continued until the end of the web604 is brought into contact with the stop hook 614, at which point theadapter halves are in full longitudinal register and are joined togetheragainst lateral separation, forming the composite adapter 802 (FIG. 8 ).

Thereafter, the mounting bracket 100 is connected to the adapter 802 byengagement with the adapter flange 608 in a manner similar to thatdescribed with reference to a T-bar flange 208 with reference to FIG. 2through FIG. 5 , thus producing the bracket assembly 800 illustrated inFIG. 8 . Earlier description of the releasable, toolless snap-connectionof the mounting bracket 100 to the T-bar flange 208 thus applies mutatismutandis to connection of the mounting bracket 100 to the compositeadapter 802. An additional feature of the bracket assembly 800, however,is that the hanger tabs 104 serve the additional purpose of acting as alocking element for locking together the adapter halves 602. As can beseen in FIG. 8 , the lip 610 on the adapter flange 608 hooks in behindthe corresponding hanger tab 104 when the mounting bracket 100 isrotated into position. Thus, the lips 610 engaged with the respectivehanger tabs 104 resist longitudinal separation of the adapter halves 602in a direction opposite to the connecting direction (represented byarrows 620 in FIG. 6 ). In this manner, the adapter halves 602 arelocked together by mounting bracket 100. Additionally, the mountingbracket 100 is longitudinally secured to the adapter flange 608 by theco-operating lips 610 and hanger tabs 104. Recall that the mountingbracket 100 is secured to the composite adapter 802 by operation of thesprung lock shoulders, in the example of FIG. 8 being provided bynon-universal unitary lock shoulder 804. Also note that, for clarity ofillustration, the screw openings 108 and latch mechanism 110 are notshown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9 , the AP device 500 is attached to themounting bracket 100 as described before, forming installation 900 inwhich the AP device 500 is securely suspended from the T-bar 206 via thebracket assembly 800 provided by the pair of adapter halves 602 and themounting bracket 100.

It is a benefit of the bracket assembly 800 as described that it allowsfor easy connection to the T-bar flange 208 necessitating raising ofceiling tiles 204 by essentially no more that the width of the platesteel from which the channel 606 is formed. Moreover, connectingtogether of the adapter halves 602 and securing thereof by the mountingbracket 100 is again a releasable toolless operation.

A number of differences between the between the mounting bracket 100 ofFIG. 8 and the mounting bracket 100 of FIG. 1 are briefly noted. First,as mentioned, the mounting bracket 100 of FIG. 8 is configured forattachment to flanges of only a single width (particularly, the width ofthe adapter flange 608), having a single unitary lock shoulder 804rather than a universal lock shoulder as provided by element 106 in FIG.1 . Further, the fastening mechanism of mounting bracket 100 of FIG. 8is configured to allow mounting on two co-planar T-bars 206 at normal toone another. Thus, the described pair of hanger tabs 104 and associatedpair of lock shoulders 804 is configured for securing the bracket plate102 to a first flange extending in a first direction, namely thelengthwise direction of the adapter flange 608 shown in FIG. 8 . Themounting bracket 100 of FIG. 8 , however includes a second pair ofhanger tabs 806 and a second pair of lock shoulders 808 configured forsecuring the bracket plate 102 to a second flange extending in a secondhorizontal direction that is normal to the illustrated adapter flange608. One benefit is that it permits attachment of the mounting bracket100 to both T-bars at an intersection thereof in a grid of T-bars.

The bracket assembly 800 described with reference to FIG. 6 through FIG.8 is configured to accommodating a single standard flange width. Inother embodiments, the composite adapter 802 is configured to provide auniversal mounting mechanism configured to be engageable with twodifferently sized and/or shaped structural supports or T-bars. FIG. 10illustrates one such embodiment, in which the mounting formations of theadapter halves 602 of a composite adapter 1000 together define a flangechannel 1002 (comprised of a series of laterally hook-shapedlongitudinally spaced channel tabs) to receive a 9/16″T-bar flange 208.

The adapter 1000 also defines, however, a rail channel 1004 forengagement with a 9/16″T-bar rail 1102, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .Thus, the adapter 1000 can accommodate either the T-bar flange 208 or aT-bar rail 1102.

FIG. 12 illustrates an adapter kit 1200 whose halves provide a universalmounting formation configured for accommodating two different flangewidths. In particular, the adapter halves 602 together define a firstflange channel 1202 for receiving a 15/16″flange, and a second flangechannel 1204 vertically spaced from the first flange channel 1202 forreceiving a 1.5″flange.

LANGUAGE

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Although an overview of the disclosed matter has been described withreference to specific example embodiments, various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodimentsof the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individuallyor collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience andwithout intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application toany single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact,disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed.Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive orexclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided forresources, operations, or structures described herein as a singleinstance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources,operations, modules, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presentedas separate resources in the example configurations may be implementedas a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures andfunctionality presented as a single resource may be implemented asseparate resources. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of thepresent disclosure as represented by the appended claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting bracket comprising: a bracket plate;and a toolless attachment mechanism incorporated in the bracket plateand configured to enable releasable toolless securing of a device to thebracket plate, the toolless attachment mechanism comprising: a pluralityof openings extending through the bracket plate for receiving respectiveconnectors projecting from the device; and a latch mechanism associatedwith at least one of the plurality of openings to automatically trap atleast one of the respective connectors projecting from the deviceresponsive to insertion of the at least one of the respective connectorsin the at least one of the plurality of openings through the bracketplate and movement of the at least one of the respective connectors pasta locking position of a non-return spring member of the latch mechanism.2. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein each connector of therespective connectors projecting from the device comprises a shank andan enlarged head at an end of the shank furthest from the device;wherein each opening of the plurality of openings through the bracketplate comprises: an insertion hole shaped and sized to permit passage ofthe enlarged head of one of the respective connectors transverselytherethrough; and a slot that extends from the insertion hole to allowtravel along the slot of the shank of the one of the respectiveconnectors received therein, the slot preventing passage of the enlargedhead transversely therethrough; and wherein the latch mechanismassociated with the at least one of the plurality of openings isconfigured to automatically trap the shank of the one of the respectiveconnectors responsive to travel of the shank from the insertion holealong the slot past the locking position, the latch mechanism thereafterpreventing travel of the trapped shank past the locking position alongthe slot towards the insertion hole.
 3. The mounting bracket of claim 1, wherein the non-return spring member of the latch mechanism is mountedon the bracket plate to coincide with the at least one of the pluralityof openings through the bracket plate, and wherein the non-return springmember is configured to: deform resiliently to allow movement of the atleast one of the respective connectors past the locking position in afirst direction; and after movement of the at least one of therespective connectors past the locking position in the first direction,return resiliently to obstruct movement of the at least one of therespective connectors past the non-return spring member in a seconddirection opposite the first direction.
 4. The mounting bracket of claim1, further comprising a toolless fastening mechanism incorporated in thebracket plate, the fastening mechanism configured to enable releasabletoolless securing of the bracket plate to a flange such that the bracketplate is suspended from the flange, wherein the fastening mechanism forsecuring the bracket plate to the flange comprises: a hanger tab thatdefines a flange recess configured for reception of a first longitudinaledge of the flange to suspend the bracket plate from the flange; a lockshoulder mounted on the bracket plate such that, when the firstlongitudinal edge of the flange is received in the flange recess of thehanger tab, the lock shoulder stands proud of the bracket plate adjacentan opposite, second longitudinal edge of the flange to preventretraction of the flange from the hanger tab by contact of the secondlongitudinal edge of the flange against the lock shoulder, the lockshoulder being resiliently depressible to allow sliding of the flangeover the lock shoulder during reception of the first longitudinal edgein the flange recess of the hanger tab; and a biasing mechanism thatresiliently biases the lock shoulder against depression thereof andtowards a raised condition, thereby enabling automatic return of thelock shoulder to the raised condition when the second longitudinal edgeof the flange clears the lock shoulder.
 5. The mounting bracket of claim4, wherein the lock shoulder comprises a universal lock shoulder havingtwo transversely spaced shoulder segments that are independentlydepressible and that are biased to their respective raised conditions,thereby enabling the universal lock shoulder to provide substantiallyplay-free lateral abutment for flanges of two different widths.
 6. Themounting bracket of claim 4, wherein the hanger tab forms part of a pairof hanger tabs spaced and oriented to receive the opposite longitudinaledges of the flange at longitudinally spaced positions such that thebracket plate is attachable to the flange by rotational movement of thebracket plate about an axis substantially normal to a plane of theflange.
 7. The mounting bracket of claim 6, wherein the lock shoulderforms part of a pair of lock shoulders positioned on opposite sides ofthe flange, the lock shoulders spaced apart such that each lock shoulderis in longitudinal register with and transversely opposed to acorresponding one of the pair of lock shoulders.
 8. The mounting bracketof claim 7, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises: a first pair oflock shoulders and an associated first pair of hanger tabs configuredfor together securing the bracket plate such that the flange is orientedin a first direction relative to the bracket plate; and a second pair oflock shoulders and an associated second pair of hanger tabs configuredfor together securing the bracket plate such that the flange is orientedin a second direction relative to the bracket plate, the first directionand the second direction being transverse to one another.
 9. A kit for abracket assembly to suspend a device from an elongate structuralsupport, the kit comprising: a composite adapter formed by a pair ofadapter parts that are configured for toolless connection to one anotherby longitudinal sliding engagement to resist lateral separation, eachadapter part having a respective mounting formation configured forlateral reception therein of at least part of the elongate structuralsupport to suspend the composite adapter from the structural supportwhen both mounting formations are engaged with the structural support;and a mounting bracket comprising: a bracket plate; a fasteningmechanism incorporated in the bracket plate and configured to suspendthe bracket plate from the composite adapter; and an attachmentmechanism incorporated in the bracket plate and configured to suspendthe device from the bracket plate, the attachment mechanism comprising alatch mechanism associated with at least one opening of a plurality ofopenings extending through the bracket plate, the latch mechanismconfigured to automatically trap at least one connector of respectiveconnectors projecting from the device responsive to insertion of the atleast one connector into the at least one opening through the bracketplate.
 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the pair of adapter partstogether define a joining mechanism configured to enable toollessjoining together of the pair of adapter parts and resist lateralseparation of the adapter parts to form the composite adapter; whereinthe fastening mechanism is configured to enable releasable toollesssecuring of the bracket plate to the composite adapter; and wherein theattachment mechanism is configured to enable releasable toollesssecuring of the device to the bracket plate.
 11. The kit of claim 9,wherein the mounting formations of the composite adapter provide auniversal mounting mechanism configured to be mountable to two or moredifferently sized or shaped elongate structural supports.
 12. The kit ofclaim 11, wherein the universal mounting mechanism is configured toaccommodate a first T-bar type having a flange of a first standardwidth, and to accommodate a second T-bar type having a flange of asecond standard width different from that of the first T-bar type. 13.The kit of claim 11, wherein the universal mounting mechanism isconfigured to accommodate a flange of an inverted T-bar, and isconfigured to accommodate a rail having a rectangular cross-sectionprofile.
 14. The kit of claim 9, wherein the mounting formations of thecomposite adapter are configured for engagement with a T-bar flange of asubstantially horizontally oriented T-bar; wherein the composite adapterdefines an adapter flange substantially parallel to and verticallyspaced from the T-bar flange; and wherein the fastening mechanism of themounting bracket is configured for engagement with the adapter flange tosuspend the bracket plate from the composite adapter.
 15. The kit ofclaim 9, wherein the composite adapter and the mounting bracket havecomplementary locking elements configured to lock the pair of adapterparts together responsive to connection of the mounting bracket to thecomposite adapter, such that the complementary locking elements resistlongitudinal separation of the pair of adapter parts.
 16. The kit ofclaim 9, wherein the mounting bracket includes one or more hanger tabsconfigured to: form part of the fastening mechanism to secure themounting bracket to the composite adapter; and provide one or morelocking elements to longitudinally lock together the pair of adapterparts.
 17. A mounting bracket comprising: a bracket plate; a toollessfastening mechanism incorporated in the bracket plate, the fasteningmechanism being configured to enable releasable toolless securing of thebracket plate to a flange such that the bracket plate is suspended fromthe flange, the toolless fastening mechanism comprising: a hanger tabthat defines a flange recess configured for reception of a firstlongitudinal edge of the flange to suspend the bracket plate from theflange; and a lock shoulder mounted on the bracket plate such that, whenthe first longitudinal edge of the flange is received in the flangerecess of the hanger tab, the lock shoulder stands proud of the bracketplate adjacent an opposite, second longitudinal edge of the flange toprevent retraction of the flange from the hanger tab; and a toollessattachment mechanism incorporated in the bracket plate and configured toenable releasable toolless securing of a device to the bracket platesuch that the device is suspended from the flange via the bracket plate,the toolless attachment mechanism comprising a latch mechanismassociated with at least one opening of a plurality of openingsextending through the bracket plate, the latch mechanism configured toautomatically trap at least one connector of respective connectorsprojecting from the device responsive to insertion of the at least oneconnector into the at least one opening through the bracket plate. 18.The mounting bracket of claim 17, wherein the lock shoulder isresiliently depressible to allow sliding of the flange over the lockshoulder during reception of the first longitudinal edge in the flangerecess of the hanger tab; and wherein the fastening mechanism comprisesa biasing mechanism that resiliently biases the lock shoulder againstdepression thereof and towards a raised condition, thereby enablingautomatic return of the lock shoulder to the raised condition when thesecond longitudinal edge of the flange clears the lock shoulder.
 19. Themounting bracket of claim 17, wherein the hanger tab forms part of apair of hanger tabs spaced and oriented to receive the oppositelongitudinal edges of the flange at longitudinally spaced positions suchthat the bracket plate is attachable to the flange by rotationalmovement of the bracket plate about an axis substantially normal to aplane of the flange.
 20. The mounting bracket of claim 17, wherein theat least one connector of the respective connectors projecting from thedevice comprises a shank and an enlarged head at an end of the shankfurthest from the mounted device; wherein the at least one opening ofthe plurality of openings through the bracket plate comprises: aninsertion hole shaped and sized to permit passage of the enlarged headof the at least one connector transversely therethrough; and a slot thatextends from the insertion hole to allow travel along the slot of theshank of the at least one connector received therein, the slotpreventing passage of the enlarged head transversely therethrough; andwherein the latch mechanism associated with the at least one opening isconfigured to automatically trap the shank of the at least one connectorresponsive to travel of the shank from the insertion hole along the slotpast the locking position, the latch mechanism thereafter preventingtravel of the trapped shank past the locking position along the slottowards the insertion hole.